Germany, Heer. A Rare Panzer Troops Oberleutnant Black Wrap

(Heer schwarze Panzerjacke für einen Leutnant). An extremely well-preserved Heer Panzer Troops Leutnant wrap, constructed of a black wool/rayon blended cloth. It features a turned-down collar which is fully trimmed along the edge with rose-pink piping, and reinforced on the reverse with machine-stitched darts. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs which are constructed of black wool, trimmed with rose-pink piping, pinned with silvered tombak Danziger-style Totenkopf device, and which measure 35 mm (w) x 70 mm (l). The shoulders are flanked by boards which are constructed of rose-pink wool with rigid card stock cores (further reinforced with magnetic metal wire), topped by four bands of silver aluminum wire piping, pinned with a single gilded pip. Each measuring 35 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the seam of the shoulder, and on the inner edge with pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The cuff of each sleeve has a hidden slash which fastens closed with two black bakelite buttons for an adjustable fit. Stitched onto the upper right breast is a third pattern (c. 1939) Panzer breast eagle, consisting of a black rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered white Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 100 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). The wrap closes with seven black bakelite buttons on the right breast meeting an equal number of buttonholes on the left (four of which are hidden). Stitched through the top buttonhole is a ribbon for an Eastern Front Medal, while two sets of threaded loops on the left flap accommodate decorations with vertical pinbacks. A partial grey cotton liner is situated over the interior of the breast flaps, with a pocket set into the right chest. Size dimensions are stamped onto the upper left of the liner in black ink, with a depot code of “B39”. Two straps which emanate from the liner feature five reinforced eyelets for the inclusion of a belt hanger. The wrap measures approximately 46 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall length of 68 cm. Demonstrating only minor signs of wear and fatigue, this scarce Officer-grade Panzer wrap remains in an extremely fine condition.